It was as the daughter of the Duke of York, that Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on 21st April 1926. She was a popular girl and her birth caused intense excitement. Her father, George, was the second son of the King and not remotely considered as a possible King, due to his elder handsome and charming brother, who was as yet, single and childless.
Elizabeth grew up, developing her character and qualities quickly. From an early age her governess noticed she seemed to have an inborn desire to do what is expected of her and she was shy, conscientious and well behaved.
Her life was a subject of interest to all and she became an overnight star, people eager to see and learn about the newest addition to the Royal Family. Elizabeth herself said that she wanted to be a lady in the country with dogs and horses, something that has never left her.
When she was four, a new sister, Margaret Rose, joined her and the relationship between parents and children was close and tender, an unusual and relatively rare thing in the Royal Family.
In 1936 came the abyss when a crisis broke and engulfed the whole of the Monarchy and the Royal Family. Elizabeth’s grandfather King George V died and his son Prince Edward succeeded as King Edward VIII. His position was endangered by his attraction and love for his girlfriend, an American divorcee, unthinkable in that period, for a King’s consort.
For months the country and the Royal Family stood on the verge of a chasm, tottering closer to it as the new King hesitated longer and longer as to what to choose - Love or Country.
It was apparent that Wallis Simpson would not be accepted as his wife and consort and the alternative was to give up the throne - a practically unprecedented step in history.
Elizabeth would have noticed the effects of this crisis. Her father came close to a nervous breakdown as he desperately tried to convince his ever-wavering brother to stay on as King. By 10th December, the King abdicated formally, in agreement with his ministers, but as it appeared, to the sorrow of his people. Elizabeth knew at that point that her life had been decided for her and she would one day be Queen of Great Britain and the Empire.
In July 1939, the Royal Family were visiting the naval college at Dartmouth and that was where Elizabeth first met and fell instantly in love with Phillip Mountbatten, a young Greek cadet. Phillip was tanned and blond and they both exchanged photographs and wrote often, throughout the war years.
Her father and mother as King and Queen had pulled their nation through the Second World War with their sheer bravery, determination, spirit and hands on approach. Elizabeth and her sister stayed on in the country, Elizabeth even joined the ATS, learning to drive.
After the war ended, Elizabeth kept in touch with Phillip and during a family holiday in Scotland at Balmoral Castle, Phillip proposed.
On 20th November 1947, Elizabeth was married and this proved to be an event for much celebration after the bleak war years. One year later, a son and future heir was born, called Charles.
Although another child, Anne, followed in August 1950, Elizabeth never slowed the pace of her work. Her father was ill though and needed her strength more and more. Unknown to the family, he had lung cancer and by the start of 1952, he was so bad that Elizabeth and Phillip had to take on his planned visit to Africa and Australia. AS Elizabeth sat in a fig tree in Kenya, watching the sunrise over the jungle and also watching the wildlife, which she enjoyed so much, she was unaware that her father had died. At 25 years old, she was the new Queen of Great Britain, the second Elizabeth.
Elizabeth regarded her heritage and the Monarchy with great importance and she still to this day strives to uphold an example, working hard and selflessly, always memorable of her fathers dedication. She vowed both in a personal address and in her coronation oath to give her life to the service of the country and this she still does with the same dedication to duty as in 1952.
She has set a hard example to follow and has been the soul of discretion and honesty, providing no hint of dishonour to herself or her family.
From the bad days of Princess Margaret’s love affair with a divorced man, Peter Townsend, the divorces of three of her children, the fire at Windsor Castle and subsequent outcry from the public for her to pay taxes, and Princess Diana’s death to the brighter and glorious days of Prince Edward’s marriage, the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, the Queen has always served her people to the highest of her ability.
Now in the year 2002, after 50 years service as Queen, we have seen her cope with the deaths of her sister Margaret and mother, the Queen Mother and she has received the highest regards of affection by the population, resulting in a glorious celebration for her Golden Jubilee - Long may she reign and God Save the Queen!
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© Copyright 2002 by Mark Turnbull.
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